On Saturday, Miami’s quarterback gets his first chance to play against the Hokies — and it’ll be quite an introduction to the rivalry. Virginia Tech is unbeaten, ranked third in the nation and could knock the Hurricanes out of the Atlantic Coast Conference title race and Bowl Championship Series mix with another victory.

“You can’t worry about the outside pressure, but you also have to realize this is kind of a make-or-break game,” Wright said Tuesday. “There is a lot riding on this game, but I’ve kind of been saying this all week: Big-time players step up in big games. Our guys are definitely going to show up.”

No. 5 Miami (6-1, 3-1 ACC) has won six straight games, and the Hurricanes come into this showdown in Blacksburg after rolling in the second half to beat North Carolina 34-16 last Saturday.

Virginia Tech (8-0, 5-0) clearly will be the Hurricanes’ biggest challenge of the season. The Hokies allow a nation-best 9.1 points per game. Plus, they’re ranked second nationally in pass defense and total defense, and third in Division I-A in pass efficiency defense. Miami leads the nation in all of those categories.

“They’re pretty solid across the board,” Wright said. “Their front four is probably their strength. They’ve got some great guys up front, but from their linebackers to their (defensive backs), there’s not really a weakness. … It’s going to be a big challenge. We’re going to have to come out and play mistake-free football.”

Mistakes plagued Wright last weekend against the Tar Heels. He finished with a season-low 111 passing yards and a season-high three interceptions.

Fortunately for the Hurricanes, Tyrone Moss had a career day on the ground, gaining 195 yards and scoring four touchdowns. But Miami knows a one-dimensional attack simply won’t be enough against Virginia Tech.

“Kyle believes in himself and he has confidence. It’s not a facade. He doesn’t get shaken,” Miami coach Larry Coker said. “Again, we obviously made some mistakes we’ve got to get corrected.

“We can’t make those mistakes in Blacksburg. But that’s why I think Kyle has a chance to be a special player.”

Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer speaks highly of Wright, the former high school All-American in his first year as Miami’s starter.

“Good thrower. Big guy, he’s 6-4. Leads the football team,” Beamer said. “Gets the ball to his wide receivers, gets them in and out of plays. I think he’s just what Miami’s looking for, to be quite honest with you.”

Wright faced high expectations coming into the season, and his numbers are solid. He’s completed 103 of 176 passes for 1,383 yards and 10 touchdowns, with a passer efficiency rating of 134.2 — fourth-best among ACC quarterbacks.

But he insists he hasn’t proved much yet — something that could change quickly on Saturday night.

“I’m not satisfied with my play. Let’s just say that,” Wright said. “I think any player who’s satisfied, that’s when they kind of get lackadaisical and think they have everything figured out, which I don’t. So there’s still a lot of hunger to get better, week in and week out.”

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